PREVIEW: Pro14, Round 14

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Pro14 returns with its first full slate of games since December with fixtures playing out across Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

With only eight rounds left in the regular season, the competition is heating up right across both Conferences as teams fight it out for Final Series places and Champions Cup qualification.

Clubs will also be eager to secure home advantage in the knock-out stages but Scarlets proved last year that away teams can still claim the title as the Championship becomes more unpredictable.

The Pro14 Final takes place in Dublin's Aviva Stadium on May 26.

What's at Stake

Connacht pick up their campaign against Ospreys eager to take advantage of the result between Cardiff Blues and Cheetahs – two of their closest rivals in Conference A. Connacht will be buoyed by their success in the Challenge Cup while Ospreys will have a new coach at the helm, forwards coach Allen Clarke has taken charge of the team after the departure of Steve Tandy.

The crowds have been up at Rodney Parade this season and Dragons will be hoping for a vocal support when high-flying Glasgow Warriors come to town. The 2015 champions have only suffered one defeat this season but with Bernard Jackman instilling a new attitude at Dragons this fixture could provide an upset.

Edinburgh's recent record in all competitions is strong and Leinster will have to be at their best to match the physical intensity that has become the hallmark of Richard Cockerill's team. The game takes place at Myreside marking a year since the ground become Edinburgh's regular home. A positive result for the hosts would keep the pressure on Ulster for the third Final Series place in Conference B.

The final game on Friday sees Ulster entertain Southern Kings as the home team begin life after the departure of Director of Rugby, Les Kiss. The fans at Kingspan Stadium will be in for a treat if this fixture is anything like the teams' first meeting in November that produced 12 tries in a 43-36 thriller in Port Elizabeth.

Zebre are the visitors to Thomond Park on Saturday to take on Munster. Munster will feel the need to ensure they keep a distance between themselves and the Cheetahs in Conference B, but also take advantage of any slip-up by Glasgow Warriors in order to cut down the 15-point lead the Scots currently hold at the top of the Conference.

Sunday's only fixture sees Benetton host defending champions Scarlets. With both teams looking at changed starting XVs this promises to be a lively affair. However, Benetton have proven tough to beat in Treviso this season so the men from Llanelli are sure to be in for a tough afternoon's work.

Pick of the Round: Cardiff Blues v Cheetahs

Both of these teams like to throw the ball about and play an expansive game – perfect for the artificial surface at Cardiff Arms Park. There’s a lot at stake, too, Cardiff Blues may trail the Cheetahs by 15 points in Conference A but this represents a chance to eat into that lead before they travel to Bloemfontein later in the season. Rory Duncan's Cheetahs have won away from South Africa just once this season and their performance in the Welsh capital should give us a greater insight into how much they can improve their road form.

Edinburgh have lost just twice in the Pro14 since Round Five, both away from home, at Cheetahs in November and at Glasgow in December.

Edinburgh's only home defeat in any tournament this season was 17-20 to Benetton in the Pro14 in September.

Edinburgh have won only one of their last fifteen fixtures against Irish provinces: 28-17 over Ulster at Murrayfield in November 2016.
Leinster have won their last nine matches in all tournaments since they were defeated on their most recent visit to Scotland, against Glasgow at Scotstoun in the Pro14 on November 3.

Leinster have lost just once to Edinburgh since December 2013: 9-16 at Meggetland in the opening game of the 2015/16 season.

Leinster have not played at Myreside since a visit in the European Champions Cup in October 2000, with Edinburgh winning 29-21.

Paul Williams becomes only the 2nd New Zealand referee to take charge of a Pro14 game, following test referee Kelvin Deaker who refereed Scarlets v Munster in November 2006.

Benetton have won their last three matches in the Pro14, another victory would equal their best ever run in the Championship set in 2011.

The Italians have won their last two home games in the Pro14, both with maximum points.

Scarlets only defeat in the last ten rounds of the Pro14 was 21-28 at Toyota Cheetahs in early December.

The Welshmen have not lost to an Italian opponent since Benetton visited Parc y Scarlets in the Pro14 in May 2013.

The two side have already met three times this season (twice in the European Champions Cup) with Scarlets victorious on each occasion. Scarlets have actually won their last eleven fixtures against the Italians.

Dragons tame log-leaders Glasgow with draw

PRO14 REPORT: Glasgow Warriors extended their lead at the top of the PRO14 but only by two points as the Dragons held them to a 15-all draw.

An early try and another just before halftime gave Dragons a hard-fought draw at Rodney Parade, as the Warriors were not clinical enough in attack to penetrate their defence in the second half.

Liam Belcher got the Dragons off to the perfect start, opening the scoring within two minutes.

The hooker found himself on the right touchline with a two-on-one after quick hands from the hosts, then dummied the pass and dived over for his second try of the season.

The visitors responded through a great chip over the defence by George Horne for Brandon Thompson to latch onto and open Warriors’ scoring.

Adam Hastings couldn’t wait for a tee for the conversion so went for the quick drop-kick, but the ball hit the post for the score to remain 5-5.

Glasgow edged ahead at the end of first quarter as Hastings made no mistake slotting a penalty from in front of the posts.

Nick Grigg then created space on the left with a powerful hand-off and offload to Horne, who took a great inside supporting line and cantered through for the second try.

Hastings added the extras to put daylight between the teams after 25 minutes.

Zach Kirchner slotted a penalty in front of the posts just before halftime to take the deficit to within a converted try, which Dragons managed to fit in before the break.

Hallam Amos made an incisive run through the middle and put a deft chip through to Jared Rosser racing through and, after a perfect bounce of the ball, the winger was in under the posts.

Kirchner then converted to level the score and end a pulsating first half.

The second half was much tighter and Adam Warren almost broke the deadlock after an hour by sneaking an interception on Glasgow’s 22 line but lost his footing when he broke away and the chance was squandered.

Glasgow dominated the possession but couldn’t convert it into points as Dragons’ defence stepped up to the mark and kept out the league-leaders.